SIM is a community of God’s people who delight to worship him and are passionate about the Gospel, seeking to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

This statement begs the question—what is/was the mission of Jesus Christ? There are a number of possible responses.

THE RECONCILIATION DIMENSION

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the cross. The compelling narrative of the Christian faith finds its climax here: the God of all creation stepping into time and space, limiting himself to human form, to carry out a work of reconciliation for those he created in his own image but who had rebelled against him.

To follow Jesus’ example calls for a life of dedication and sacrifice, inspired by the cross and sustained by the resurrection.

THE DISCIPLESHIP DIMENSION

In Matthew 17:4 Jesus says, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” But what was this completed work? Jesus had yet to be tried, condemned and crucified, and to rise again in victory.

Jesus’ work was making “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), turning fishermen into followers who dedicated their lives to God and the pursuit of others who did not know God. He reinforced this through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

THE COMMUNITY DIMENSION

When Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-28), Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then says that on this truth “I will build my church ...” He reveals that the Church, the community of God’s people, is central to his mission. Through it his presence and work will be effected in the world.

THE KINGDOM DIMENSION

Finally, Jesus introduced God’s kingdom, his redemptive rule. This reality came into history through the person of Christ, to break the power of death and Satan. “Because of this present victory of God’s kingdom, we may enter the realm of its blessings in the present, yet look forward to greater blessings when Christ comes again” (NIV Bible Dictionary). God’s kingdom becomes a recurring theme in Jesus’ teaching, and in many ways the concept captures the entirety of his mission.

The mission of Jesus Christ is ongoing and multi-dimensional. In an amazing way, God continues to invite us—in our weakness and imperfect understanding—to participate in this mission.

WHAT ISTHE MISSION?BY MALCOLM MCGREGOR, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR

SIM IS A COMMUNITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE WHO DELIGHT TO WORSHIP HIM AND ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE GOSPEL, SEEKING TO FULFILL THE MISSION OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE WORLD.

ISSUE NO. 120. © 2007 by SIM. Official quarterly publication of SIM (Serving In Mission), an interdenominational evangelical Protestant mission. SIM includes Africa Evangelical Fellowship, Andes Evangelical Mission, International Christian Fellowship and Sudan Interior Mission. Editor and author of unsigned articles: Carol Wilson magazine.editor@sim.org. Photo editor: Lisa Felch. Design: Relevant Media Group. Editorial Committee: Omar Djoeandy, Australia; Stanley Ling, East Asia; Nigel Webb, New Zealand; Steve Strauss, USA; Malcolm McGregor, SIM International. Stock photographs are sometimes used to help represent stories. Names introduced in quotes are pseudonymns to protect the person’s identity. Cover image by Brad Shaw and other images Copyright © 2007 SIM and its licensors. All rights reserved.

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG2

WHEN WILL THEY BELIEVE?

“IT WAS EASTER MORNING,” wrote Drs. Andrew and Michelle Cornwell, “when we spotted signs of the first blades of grass penetrating the red earth. Soon our dry surroundings were transformed into something of a tropical jungle filled with a rainbow of fresh blossoms and the joyful eruption of bird songs. We’d been told that Bembéréké would be green and beautiful during rainy season, but it was impossible to visualize that beauty during our first few months in Benin. Are we similarly slow to believe that people will open their hearts to God’s truth?”

Missionaries often face doubts like these in the early stages of evangelism and church planting. The spiritual ground seems so hard. The dominant religious system—whether it is Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, superstition, or secular atheism—grips the souls of the people so tenaciously. All of them envelop people in darkness and bondage.

A HINDU FACES OBSTACLES

Shannon writes from South Asia about her friend Sunita. One day

they were talking about Jesus, and Shannon encouraged Sunita to come to Christ. “But Didi,” she said, “I have already believed in Jesus.” This sounds wonderful, but it’s difficult to discern exactly what “belief” means in this context. The

people can so easily add Christ to their other gods. Shannon explained that the Lord asks for whole-hearted commitment.

Sunita confessed, “In my heart I fully believe and am ready to become a Christian. I have left the idol worship, but there is one Hindu festival I cannot leave. My mother-in-law would be so angry.” She was referring to an annual event during which wives fast and offer

Continued on page 4

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 3

Pet

er W

. Mor

ris p

hoto

Bra

d A

rndt

pho

to

OBSTACLES TO BELIEF

sacrifices for their husbands’ wellbeing while worshiping in a sacred river. To abandon this festival would be a public announcement that she hates her husband. So, of course, her husband also discouraged her from becoming a Christian.

Nevertheless, on Easter Sunday, 2007, Sunita’s “spiritual dry season” ended, and she put her faith in Christ. She shows signs of growth: hunger to learn God’s Word, hatred of sin, and bold witness—even to her husband, despite opposition. She also witnesses to her friends, who continue to worship various gods including mounds of mud from a “holy river.” When will the “spiritual rainy season” begin for these friends and for her husband and mother-in-law?

STRUGGLES OF A FORMER MUSLIM

In another country of South Asia, “Rohan,” a 24-year-old Christian believer, continues to face bewildering questions and struggles. Before he became a follower of Jesus, he

Continued from page 3

served as muzzein in his poor village, giving the call to prayer at the small mosque near his home. But God was stirring in his soul a restlessness over all the external rules required to win the favor of Allah. He personally knew no one who followed them.

Then his father began speaking to him about the prophet, Isa-Masih, Jesus Christ. He explained to Rohan that Isa was able to pray to Allah for mercy for his people. Imagine! He knew that his failure to follow the rules put him in a position to need mercy. He was eager to know more. Eventually, he joined his father in believers’ baptism in a local river. But his struggles aren’t over.

The suffering and violence that surround Rohan unsettle his soul. He’s also confused by the goodness he sees in some people who aren’t yet followers of Isa-Masih. He struggles with his basic identity. It used to be clear: he was a Muslim, a member of the worldwide Ummah (brotherhood). But now he’s part of a tiny unpopular minority. What should he call himself? “Christian” carries alien connotations in his country. “A Muslim who follows Jesus” is a label chosen by some believers; would that work? It’s a dilemma he shares with many young Christians.

Rohan is very poor. When the bag for the jakat (tithe) is passed in his jamat (house church), he struggles to give; he really needs the few coins in his pocket for his daily food. He is struck with pangs of guilt every time he passes a beggar on the street without giving alms. Still, in the midst of these soul struggles, Rohan recognizes his blessings. He is growing in his knowledge of God and the Bible. Even as he looks for answers, he continues to follow Isa with all his heart.

UNPRECEDENTED OPENNESS

Most new believers from all religious backgrounds face similar issues: family disapproval, economic struggles, purity of faith (unmixed with past beliefs), and how to identify with other followers of Christ. Struggles notwithstanding, research shows unprecedented openness on the part of many Muslim and Hindu people. The World Christian Database (2007, Leiden: Brill Publications) shows that of the 100 most responsive people groups larger than one million in size, 31 groups are Hindu and 31 are Muslim. Let us boldly trust God for a “spiritual rainy season” to bless all the peoples of the world.

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG4

Pet

er W

. Mor

ris p

hoto

Bra

d A

rndt

pho

to

VEIL OF DECEPTION

HIDDEN IN THE VASTNESS of the Himalayas, a remarkably hardy people group lived in isolation for thousands of years. To this day, they practice an ancient religion that has them bound in fear, spiritual oppression, and the hopeless attempt to earn merit for their next life. They spin prayer wheels, and they prostrate themselves before frightening images of their gods.

Political developments during the past century have broken through their isolation, and now their cities are also home to a number of other minority ethnic groups—followers of a different religion. They live together, but they fear one another because of hostility brought on by decades of wars and atrocities. Another large people group with whom they mingle is largely atheistic. But by God’s grace, millions of this latter group have come to faith in Christ, and some of them are now called to

evangelize the minority groups who are still waiting for the Gospel.

What follows is the report of a small team of SIM workers who traveled to this mysterious area with some of the local evangelists in training.

The trip began at the mission training center. We were impressed by the commitment of the core workers of this ministry. After a simple lunch, we joined them in intercession. The place

was filled with God’s awesome presence. We learned about the challenges they face—spiritual, physical, and financial. The Lord has brought them through many trials. Each new trial looks as though it will sink them, and they must place total reliance on God step by step.

Our team went on a prayer walk at a very prominent monastery. As we worshiped the true God, we prayed earnestly that the light of Christ would pierce through that veil of deception. We were there to declare that

• that the workers will have a strong walk with God

• for provision of the needs of the training center

• for strong fellowships and churches to be established

• for safety in travel and protection against the evil one

PRAY

Contact your SIM office for information on teams or long-term service.

GO

the almighty God will come to deliver them and bring them new hope.

We had the privilege of meeting a handful of new

believers in one town. Then we visited an area at a very high altitude where a couple of ministries are quietly going on. The spiritual warfare there is intense. One of the Christian workers told us that they are attacked by serpent-like apparitions and serious health problems. Despite the challenges, a few people have come to faith in Christ. What daunting obstacles they face! This situation cries out for more prayer and more resources.

Even though our trip came to an end, we left with a renewed commitment to pray fervently for the workers and for the people they seek to evangelize, and we hope to visit them again.

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 5

PLANTING CHURCHES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

• that the people of Caia will boldly listen to and believe the truth about Jesus.

• that a pure, Christ-following church will soon play a central role in Caia.

PRAY

ON THE WEBSearch Yao at sim.org.

BY JANICE PETERS, MOZAMBIQUE

LEADING THE SIM MOZAMBIQUE TEAM keeps me busy enough, but some time ago I began to pray that God would also give me a direct ministry with Mozambicans. As I was praying, Omar, one of my watchmen, came to me with a request. He wanted to go to his childhood village to share the Gospel. I made a quick mental review of all the evangelists, and I realized that none of them was available to go with Omar. Should I go? Was I ready to make a regular commitment? How far was it? How much would it cost to drive out there? I said, “Let’s go together.” So we drove to the village called Caia, a place with neither church nor Christians.

Omar is a relatively new Christian; but since it was his idea, I said he’d be the leader and I’d be his assistant. When we reached the village, some men gathered, including the village headman. Omar simply said, “We are Christians and we would like you to know about Christ. May we come and have a Bible study with you?” To my surprise, they said, “Yes, we would like to learn more.”

So began our weekly trips to Caia, 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) from Lichinga. Our approach was very simple: one of the village men would read from the Bible in Portuguese, and then Omar translated it into Yao. After a few verses, I’d summarize the teaching and answer any questions that arose. Usually we’d have 20 to 30 men sitting around listening, sometimes a few women and young people. We did several lessons from Genesis before they asked to see the “Jesus” film. After showing the film, we studied the life of Christ.

Then one day, after I had closed the study time with prayer, two of the men who had been most faithful in meeting with us lingered behind and asked for a piece of paper. I offered the back of a calendar page and one wrote, “We have 11 people in the needed group.” I asked what he meant. He explained that 11 people had decided they wanted to follow Jesus.

A CHURCH IS BORN

One of them has now taken a public stand as a believer in Jesus. The others appear close to that decision, and they continue to study with us. They want to construct a church building and have selected the land.

In the process of church planting, the usual order is first the spiritual body of Christ—the redeemed people—then the physical place where they meet. The people God is calling in the village of Caia may be reversing the order, but we are praying that soon there will be a spiritual, growing church there. Satan has long held the lives of these people captive to traditional beliefs. We hope that soon the Word of God will break through that bondage and set them free to follow Christ.

Aly

sun

Pet

ers

phot

o

Aly

sun

Pet

ers

phot

o

6 #120 • WWW.SIM.ORG

Evangelism team in action

IT WAS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY in Mauritius, so the beach was crowded. A group had gathered to witness the baptism of some new Christians. As each one came up from the water and walked back to the shore, the watching believers sang, Mo fin decide pou suivre Jésus (“I have decided to follow Jesus”). As we looked on, we could scarcely hold back our tears.

Sam and Fatima had been married only a year. Sam was a nominal Christian of Indian heritage; Fatima was Muslim. Their love blossomed as Fatima walked daily past the roadside stand where Sam sold fruit. Although Sam wasn’t following the Lord, his claim of Christianity intrigued Fatima, and she began to attend his church. When her family refused permission for them to marry, they got married before the magistrate and ran away to live in anonymity in Rose Belle, where we live. That’s when we met them.

Fatima was eager to follow Christ. Lize explained the Gospel to her, and she gladly accepted

knocked at a door, but although it was standing open and the television was playing, no one answered. Determined

to reach out to the residents, we walked around to the back yard, where we found some children playing. They called to their mother, Rosa, who came out and greeted us suspiciously. But as we talked with her about Jesus, her attitude changed. Before our visit ended, she bowed her head and surrendered her life to Christ.

Meanwhile, as we stood in the yard, Veronique (a member of our evangelism team) came up the road with another woman whom we didn’t know. They stopped, smiled, and walked on. Later we heard the story.

Veronique had shared the Gospel with Catherine, the other woman, and Catherine had put her faith in Jesus as her Savior. At once she wanted Veronique to give the same good news to her best friend. That best friend was Rosa, who was at that moment hearing the message from us. That explained their smiles as they passed by on the road.

The work of building Christ’s church on Mauritius continues. Please pray for us.

Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Through Fatima’s prayers and testimony, Sam also returned to the Lord.

And now they were being baptized together.

HUNGER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Wherever we go on the island of Mauritius, we find people who desperately need to know Jesus. We know we can’t reach them all ourselves, so we offer classes in evangelism to local believers. As part of the training, all the students practice what they are learning.

A few months ago we took a class out to witness door to door in Cité Tolle (“Shanty Town”). We

Fatima declares her faith inChrist through baptism

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PIETER & LIZE LABUSCHAGNE, MAURITIUS

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 7

INTEGRATIVE CHURCH PLANTING

soaring condors. But the canyon’s residents describe it as “forgotten by the rest of Peru.” They eke out a subsistence by growing a few vegetables, and most homes have no conveniences. There’s little money in the canyon; swapped labor, food, and chicha (a home-brewed maize beer) are the primary means of exchange.

THE CHALLENGE

The Shaws came to Peru in 2001 to do medical work. Brad soon realized that most medical problems were caused by sinful living practices, primarily alcoholism, which afflicts 90% of adults in the canyon. Alcoholism, in turn, leads to violence, rape, domestic abuse, and abandonment of children. “I wanted to get to the

Chr

is C

onti

phot

oB

rad

Sha

w p

hoto

DAVID PEREZ AND BRAD SHAW trust their mules to carry them safely on an eight-hour trail ride deep in Cotahuasi Canyon in Peru. David, a Quechua, and Brad, an SIM worker from North America, have made countless treks like this. In 2001, when the Shaws began their work in the canyon, Brad did the preaching; and he used the time on the trail to mentor and disciple David and other local believers. Now, 17 Quechua serve alongside the Shaws in evangelism, discipleship, church planting,

and youth ministries. The Shaw family, Brad and Gina and their daughters Janelle and Cassandra, live in the main town of Cotahuasi (kot-a-wa-see).

THE CANYON

At 3,354 meters, almost 11,000 feet deep, Cotahuasi is the deepest canyon in the world—twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. It cuts through the Andes mountains of Peru and is home to about 17,000 people in 40 villages perched on its slopes and nestled at its base. Adventurers visit the canyon to hike its rugged trails, bathe in thermal springs, and watch the

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG8

Bra

d S

haw

pho

to

root causes,” says Brad. “To cover a cancer with a bandage really does not help in the end. Through faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, these people can truly experience freedom from sin and its results.”

During their first year in the canyon, they took the Gospel to Huillac (wee-yak), a village considered hopeless, with 100% of adults addicted to alcohol. Several couples became followers of Jesus, and their lives changed before the astonished eyes of their neighbors. Where reform had eluded the community’s best efforts, the power of God succeeded in transforming lives.

THE CHURCH

Small groups of new believers now meet weekly in 13 of Cotahuasi’s remote villages, and three churches have pastors. The Shaws began at once to mobilize and train Quechua believers for outreach throughout the canyon and beyond. Their dining table is the center for weekly Bible study, prayer, and planning. Team members take their studies seriously, knowing that biblical truth is essential in order to plant healthy churches. “I always learn something new,” says Santiago, one of the Quechua missionaries. They often pray over a map of the canyon, colored pins showing where they have preached the Gospel, where there are new believers, where young churches exist, and where they want to go next. Mealtimes are also ministry times at the Shaw table. Typically, about eight people join them for the midday meal, during which Bible and ministry topics dominate the conversation.

Church history is littered with tragic cases of churches that were planted but failed to mature, remaining trapped in bondage to traditional religions and bad habits. Hope for Cotahuasi Canyon lies in an integrated plan involving projects and people to bring the churches to maturity and freedom in Christ.

• for good health and energy for the Shaws.

• for the Peruvian missionaries as they evangelize and plant churches in surrounding towns.

• for the development of planned projects in Cotahuasi.

• for more workers to join the Cotahuasi team.

PRAY

Faustino is one of the Shaws’ Quechua partners. He says, “Seeing God’s Word reach the hearts of my own people has been a beautiful thing. I thank God for the gift of preaching and the ability to tell others about Him. I have seen people come to Jesus Christ and it is a beautiful thing.”

• The team members can’t visit all of the vil-lages. So the Shaws want to establish an FM radio station to enable regular Christian music and teaching to reach throughout the canyon, for the spiritual growth of believers and for evangelizing those who haven’t yet heard of Christ. (Project # PE 91885)

• Recognizing that Christ can break the grip of alcoholism, several churches are partnering with SIM to develop a biblical counseling and rehabilitation program for the region. (Project # PE 91887)

GIVE

The Shaws say, “People are open to the Gospel here, and we need help.” Here is a sample of opportunities:• Church planting• Children’s and youth ministry• Radio ministry• English teaching• Administration• Construction and maintenance• Women’s discipleship• Medical care and health teaching

GO

Bra

d S

haw

pho

toB

rad

Sha

w p

hoto

MEET FAUSTINO

Church planters in action

Information provided by Brad and Gina Shaw, Carolynn Chen, and Chris Conti.

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 9

INNOVATIVE EVANGELISM

Alle

n G

eorg

e ph

oto

I SPONSOR TWO CHESS CLUBS. One meets weekly at our home. The other meets under the stern eyes of armed guards in the towers of this region’s highest security prison. Some time ago I read that only two things positively reduce prison recidivism: true spiritual change and prison chess clubs. I decided to combine the two.

Over the past few years, I’ve led three chess tournaments in the prison at Christmas time, at the invitation of the local district attorney, who is a fellow chess player. Last Christmas, I was surprised to see Percy, a former member of the chess club in our home, serving a prison sentence. I was happy to learn that he’d become a Christian while in prison. Then a member of our church, who also plays chess at our house, became the new prison guard. It was time to launch our prison chess club!

FRISKED, YET FREE TO MINISTER

Every Monday morning the guard frisks me at the door and keeps my keys and Peruvian identity card. He lets me carry in a box containing chess pieces, boards, and Bibles. We play chess with the men for about an hour; then my partner Jaime leads a Bible study based on the book, New Life in Christ.

Of the 150 prisoners, almost 50 have come to the Bible study and chess club. After attending three classes, they receive a New Testament; after ten times they get a Spanish NIV Bible. At first I was afraid they’d leave when the chess play was over, but instead we find that the group grows when the Bible study begins. Five have accepted Christ as their Savior.

The chess club and Bible study have now opened the door for medical ministry to the prisoners, many of whom suffer with long-neglected problems. (I came to Peru to serve as a medical doctor.) For our first campaign, a medical school classmate came to help me, and we treated about 25 patients. We trust that this display of Christ’s compassion will open prisoners’ hearts to him.

• that the prisoners will not lose their faith or their hope.• that we will continue to be safe.• that the guards who attend the study will come to Christ.

PRAY

BY ALLEN GEORGE, PERU

Dr. Jay Allison tends to a broken leg that was never set.

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG10

CHURCH PLANTING BY RADIO

Fra

nz K

ropf

pho

to

BY FRANZ KROPF, RADIO COORDINATOR, BENIN-TOGO

WON BY A SONG

The Yoruba man had never heard anything like it! He had tuned his radio to the station in nearby Ouesse town, and the Christian song he heard literally turned his life around. He destroyed his amulets (charms for protection against evil curses) and fetishes (objects worshipped for their magical powers) and became a follower of Jesus. He joined several others in his village who did the same. They built a small shelter of poles and bush grass and began to meet regularly to worship Jesus Christ.

TESTED BY FIRE

But the Yoruba people in this area have worshiped fetishes for centuries, and the caretakers of the dominant fetish felt the need to protect it from this dishonor. So they burned the church structure to the ground. The fire tested the faith of the new believers, but did not destroy it. Instead, with fresh courage they built a new, fireproof structure.

The nearby town of Savalou is home to many fetish shrines and convents. The mountain behind the town is a place of pilgrimage for a sect that combines some Christian ideas with mystical beliefs and immoral practices. The few believers in the local church find it hard to stand against the influence of this sect, and the Christian broadcasts over the local radio station encourage them and also help them reach their fetish-worshiping neighbors for Christ. Programs in Fon, Fulani, and Yoruba go out from this station.

CHURCHES ARE SPRINGING UP

We heard these stories during recent surveys of our Christian radio broadcasts in 14 languages on 20 stations throughout Benin and Togo. Our strategy is to buy air time on local community-owned and commercial FM stations. Everywhere the message of Christ is broadcast, churches are

springing up. Many are still waiting for trained

leaders. In a very remote town we found a group of more than 80 adults and 120 children who worship together on Sundays. The elders of the group are responsible for preaching and teaching, and they also oversee three emerging churches in neighboring villages. People in two more distant villages have asked them to come and help them start churches, but they had to decline. In this situation, radio becomes even more essential. Every evening the people can listen to a 15-minute program of Bible studies, evangelistic preaching, or teaching on marriage and the family.

In the town of Tchetti, Pastor François and his wife Françoise work together to produce broadcasts in the Ifé language. Pastor François travels through the surrounding villages to fan the flames of faith ignited by the radio programs, and already ten churches have been planted, some of them across the border in Togo. The Tchetti region is multi-cultural, containing people who speak other languages. So we have signed a new contract with that station to broadcast programs in Fon and Fulani in addition to Ifé.

Due to lack of funds, we have had to reduce the number of broadcasts on the national radio station in Parakou, even though the station graciously reduced the cost for some of the programs. We are looking to the Lord to provide for the ongoing costs of broadcasting the Gospel to the people of Benin—both the fixed cost of producing the programs and the broadcast cost on the various stations. The average cost per 15-minute broadcast is about 15 euro or US$20.

A fetish surrounded by the remains of worshipers’ offerings

Project # BJ 80710GIVE

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 11

MORE THAN 25 years ago, SIM workers planted the first church among the Sisaala people living in the northwest region of Ghana. They trusted God to develop churches led by Sisaala people, worshiping and teaching in the Sisaala language. Most of the early converts came out of a background of African Traditional Religion

(ATR), largely based in veneration and appeasement of ancestral spirits. Since the 1980s, Islam has grown to claim more than 70% of the Sisaala, although traditional practices strongly shape their practice of Islam.

And what of the desire for a strong Sisaala church? Thirteen small Sisaala churches, with fewer than 150 baptized believers, are now part of the Bible Church of Africa (BCA), which relates to SIM. Only three of them have licensed pastors. Christians in Sisaala land find it very difficult to reach out to their Muslim neighbors. They see Islam as a barrier to the Gospel, rather than an opportunity.

HOPE

Nevertheless, there’s hope for the Sisaala. The New Testament is available in the Isaling dialect, both in

COLLABORATIVE CHURCH PLANTING

Penny Bakewell teaching Sunday school

print and on cassettes. Work on the Old Testament is progressing well. Recorded Scriptures provide an especially strong tool for reaching this largely oral culture. The storytelling approach to giving the Gospel plugs in to the Sisaalas’ traditional method of communicating.

SIM and the Bible Church of Africa are strategizing together to take the love of Christ to the people in this part of Ghana. Two SIM families are working there, involved in community-based health education, church planting, and leadership training. As church leaders become better equipped, they will help the believers under their care to grow strong in their faith and to reach out to their neighbors.

SWEEPING TOGETHER

And now the Bible Church of Africa has a broader vision: to partner with others in reaching the Sisaala. One BCA leader uses a local proverb to describe the present opportunity: “We have a choice. We can take up our own broom and sweep our own corner. Or we can all take up brooms together, and together we will work to see the Gospel spread through the land. Only then will the Lord claim this land for himself.”

Sisaala clay construction

• for more church planters and trainers of leaders.

• for the Sisaala people to have open hearts to the Gospel.

PRAY

Information provided by Penny Bakewell

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG12

SATAN’S STRONGHOLDS

The Elegbe, king of Egbe

UNSEEN SPIRITUAL FORCES

FETISH PRIESTS in the town of Egbe, Nigeria, recently announced their plan to perform a live sacrifice to their deity in the town center. Further, they dared the church to try to stop them. Local Christians responded with a summons to community prayer. The gathered believers soon filled and overflowed the venue, moving to an open field to worship and pray. A pastor led in prayer, shouting “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7b). The crowd echoed, “Amen!” Midway through the meeting, the Elegbe, traditional ruler of Egbe, came with his chiefs to join the approximately 400 believers already gathered for prayer.

As the prayer meeting was ending, SIM medical doctor Kelvin Chen of Singapore felt the insistent prompting of the Holy Spirit to speak to the crowd. The pastors in charge readily granted permission. Dr. Chen called attention to the beginning of James 4:7, which describes the essential condition for resisting the

devil: “Submit yourselves to the Lord.” Kelvin challenged the crowd to search their hearts and submit to God in repentance in order to confront the evil one.

Suddenly the crowd sank to their knees and grew quiet. His Royal Highness, the Elegbe, had knelt. He began weeping loudly, leading the gathered believers in a prayer of repentance. Over the next few days, the churches of Egbe continued to gather for meetings of repentance, revival, and prayer. By God’s grace, the plans of the animists never materialized. Equally miraculous was the transformation the Christians experienced as they gained a truer understanding of their faith through their communal repentance.

While some superstitious beliefs and practices are merely cultural traditions, others reveal real demonic forces. The Bible repeatedly attests to the existence of a fallen angel, known as Satan or the devil, and his demonic legions who oppose the purposes of Jesus Christ on earth (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8). The historic Church—including the early Church fathers and creeds—all confess

the reality of unseen spiritual forces in conflict with Christ’s kingdom. In recent decades, African theologians have often led the way in a biblical theology of spiritual warfare.

Many churches planted by SIM workers, including the ones in Egbe, exist in contexts saturated with animism, superstition, witchcraft, voodoo, shamanism, occultism, or

neo-paganism. But through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and the testimony of believers, Satan is defeated (Rev. 12:11). Buildings and Bible studies are not enough. SIM church planters know that those in bondage to ignorant superstition or direct demonic oppression need to be rescued from “the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13, NIV).

BY TABITHA PLUEDDEMANN, STAFF WRITER

• for discernment and spiritual victory for missionaries and local workers as they face spiritual opposition to the kingdom of God.

PRAY

Story provided by Dr. Kelvin and Debbie Chen, Egbe, Nigeria

PLANTING, STRENGTHENING, AND PARTNERING CHURCHES • #120 13

New Home forTheology School

The Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is in the beginning stages of a campus development project. Mitch Harris, a building contractor with 45 years of experience, is helping to supervise the work. The school was formed about 10 years ago by a unique coalition of churches and organizations, with SIM providing faculty and staff, committed to forming a single graduate school of singular excellence for an entire country. The school, which now offers four distinct programs, expects to be accredited this year by the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA).

You’ve been praying; God is answering.

New Fulani Bible SchoolThere are five regional Fulani fellowships in Burkina Faso. Recently the church leaders in all five groups expressed enthusiasm for the formation of a Bible school to train church leaders among the Fulani. They will need to select an accessible location, develop a Bible and practical ministry curriculum, recruit teachers, and raise funds. SIM began work among the Fulani of Burkina Faso 30 years ago. To date, there are only three trained Fulani pastors in the country. The churches face much pressure from the surrounding majority religion, and they desperately need trained leaders to help them grow strong.

Multidirectional Mission in AsiaThree gifted and godly women from northeast India have recently joined the SIM team serving in Central Asia. Vantal, LZ, and Vivo came from India as members of New Enterprises International, and they have spent the past two years learning a major Asian language. Now they are seeking other visa options. One of them has been hired as a university professor. We are praying for many more workers from India in the coming years.

Joni

Byk

er p

hoto

SUDAN TEAM GETS WINGS

Roads are almost non-existent in the remote areas of southern Sudan where we serve, and even the roads that are there become impassable during the long rainy season. We rely heavily on air service provided by our partner AIMAIR. As the need for transportation increases, their fleet is unable to meet the demand. So the SIM team purchased a Cessna 206G in the U.S., then boxed it in pieces and sent it to Kenya by ship, where it will be reassembled and added to the fleet (Project # SD 98023). Soon an SIM pilot, Nate Killoren, will join the flight staff.

Story Book: Conflict and RedemptionSue Eckert and her husband Tim spent 15 years working among the Fulani people of Niger. They and their seven children knew and loved “Mamane.” This new book, Mamane’s Journey: An African Muslim Youth Learns of Christ, shows the intense conflict a Fulani youth faces in trying to both please his family and follow Christ. Far from quick and easy solutions, it traces Mamane’s pilgrimage, including persecution and hard choices. Teenager Tabitha Eckert created the charming illustrations. Order the book from your SIM office or as an e-book from www.masterdesign.org.

>> SIM UPDATES

#120 • WWW.SIM.ORG14